February13, 2013

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), the Committee’s Ranking Member, introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning North Korea for its Tuesday nuclear test, for flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, and for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability.

The Resolution, expected to be considered by the House on Friday, recognizes the grave threat that North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs could pose to the security of the American people, given their increasing ability to reach the United States.

Royce said: “Tuesday’s nuclear test again demonstrates Kim Jong Un’s intention to follow in his father’s footsteps by continuing a nuclear weapons program. This grave threat to the region and the U.S. must be ended. Congress should condemn these unacceptable violations of international agreements and resolutions and work to adopt sanctions that truly cripple the regime’s military capabilities. Key to doing this will be by tackling North Korea’s illicit activities and cutting off its flow of hard currency.”

Engel said: “The nuclear test by North Korea was highly provocative and in direct defiance of the international community. The North’s dangerous behavior poses a threat to regional peace and to the national security of the United States. The time is now for Congress to act and punish North Korea for violating the will of the international community and stand with our close ally South Korea.”

In addition to condemning North Korea for Tuesday’s test, its multiple violations of Security Council resolutions, and its repeated provocations, the Resolution:

• expresses solidarity with the people of North Korea, who suffer extreme oppression;

• reaffirms the U.S. commitment to its alliances with Japan and South Korea;

• calls on China to pressure its ally North Korea to curtail its nuclear and missile programs and comply with international agreements and resolutions; and

• calls on China to act to prevent transshipment of goods that North Korea may use in its nuclear and missile programs;

The Resolution calls on the United States Government to:

• apply all available sanctions on North Korea and cooperate with U.S. allies to impose additional sanctions, including UN sanctions;

• utilize a range of legal authorities and resources to defend the United States against North Korea; and

• support the President’s commitment to strengthen U.S. ballistic missile defense system to protect the United States.